Sensing the change in Jiang Xile's emotions, Xiao Chengyi instantly composed himself; now was not the time.

He had a premonition that if he confessed his feelings today like Mao Gang had just done, the outcome would be no different from before.

Without absolute certainty, making a hasty move would only push the person you love further away, so he spoke up to divert Jiang Xile's attention.

"Looking at how dejected that young man looked just now, he seemed quite pitiful. Didn't Jiang Zhiqing feel any pity at all?"

Sensing the probing tone in Xiao Chengyi's words, Jiang Xile lowered her eyes.

"I have no plans to date. I don't know what the future holds, but at least not in the next few years."

The indirect rejection was intended to scare Xiao Chengyi away, after all, Xiao Chengyi was not young, and it was impossible for him to waste his life just because she didn't want to be in a relationship.

Unfortunately, this was only Jiang Xile's own perception. As for Xiao Chengyi, he had already forced himself to live up to his parents' wishes once.

He wanted to live a more carefree life from now on. At least, the Xiao family now had descendants, so even if he never got married, it wouldn't have much of an impact.

Unaware of Xiao Chengyi's stubbornness, Jiang Xile assumed he was a smart person and had understood her hints.

"Jiang Zhiqing is still young and it is indeed not suitable for her to get involved in emotional issues."

I often think, if I had a smart and clever younger sister like you, I definitely wouldn't want her to get married so early!

"So, Battalion Commander Xiao wants a younger sister?"

"I'm a few years older than you, so there's nothing wrong with you calling me 'brother'!"

"Commander Xiao, there are plenty of people who want to be your sister, but I only want to be Jiang Xile."

"Looks like I was just being presumptuous. I thought you were young and easy to fool, but now it seems you have a very strong will!"

"hehe..."

"You laughed! It seems I'm not entirely useless after all; it's my honor to have won a beauty's smile!"

"Commander Xiao, you flatter me. It's getting late, and I need to go back to the educated youth settlement. The riverbank is slippery, so you should head back soon too!"

"Thank you for your concern, Jiang. I was just about to head back myself. How about I give you a ride back to your educated youth settlement on the way?"

"The educated youth settlement is just a stone's throw away, and I know the way myself, so I won't trouble Battalion Commander Xiao."

"We've known each other for so long, and you still call me Battalion Commander Xiao. We're not in the army now, so if you don't want to call me Brother Xiao, you can just call me by my name!"

"Since you don't want me to call you Battalion Commander Xiao, then I'll just call you Comrade Xiao. Calling you by your first name is too intimate and inappropriate!"

Xiao Chengyi was a little disappointed, but that's just Jiang Xile's personality; he already knew that wasn't true!

"Alright, Comrade Xiao it is. Do as you please. Good night, sweet dreams!"

"Thank you, goodbye!"

Xiao Chengyi watched Jiang Xile's departing figure silently, a sense of powerlessness welling up in his heart.

This was the first time in his life that he had pursued a girl so earnestly, and he seemed somewhat at a loss when faced with this feeling.

Perhaps it was because he cherished this relationship so much that he became hesitant in his actions, fearing that he might not do enough.

But to him, Jiang Xile was like a cloud floating in the sky, seemingly close at hand, but actually unattainable.

Despite his efforts to hold onto her, she always slipped easily from his grasp.

At this point, Xiao Chengyi also began to realize that love is not a simple thing.

It requires courage, wisdom, and patience, and even more so, it requires careful management and nurturing.

He knew he still had many shortcomings, but he was willing to keep learning and growing for Jiang Xile, and prove his sincerity with practical actions.

Xiao Chengyi stood silently in place, his gaze still fixed on the direction Jiang Xile had left in.

He told himself that no matter how many difficulties and challenges lay ahead, he would not give up pursuing Jiang Xile.

Because deep in his heart, he had already fallen deeply in love with this quick-witted, clever, and agile woman.

This affection is precisely what he cannot easily let go of at this moment.

Jiang Xile breathed a sigh of relief only after walking a long way and no longer feeling Xiao Chengyi's gaze.

Feeling somewhat relieved, Xiao Chengyi restrained himself and didn't say anything that would embarrass her.

To be honest, Jiang Xile had a pretty good impression of Xiao Chengyi, from the train ride to their recent encounters.

His military background and selfless spirit, in particular, gave Jiang Xile a natural affinity for him.

But this fondness has nothing to do with liking someone; it's like how modern young girls like to watch idol stars.

It is meant to be admired from afar, but not to be touched or handled!

As Jiang Xile approached the fork in the road near the educated youth settlement, she heard people talking not far ahead.

Looking ahead, I was surprised to see Li Hongwei.

This was the first time she had seen him since he and Zhai Qiaoyun had conspired to frame her.

What puzzled Jiang Xile even more was that Duan Nianzhen had actually gotten involved with Li Hongwei.

So, subconsciously, Jiang Xile stopped and hid behind the courtyard wall.

"Brother Li, thank you so much this time. If it weren't for you, I might have fallen and hurt myself!"

"Don't mention it. You call me Brother Li. It's nothing, it's all my duty. You're welcome to come to my house sometime. Qiaoyun was talking about you yesterday!"

"Really? Then I'll go see her after work tomorrow!"

"Great! I just happened to catch a rabbit this morning. Come over tomorrow and we'll eat it together!"

"Brother Li, you actually managed to catch a rabbit! You're amazing!"

"It's nothing. Alright, it's getting late. You should get some rest. I'll pick you up after work tomorrow and take you to my house for dinner!"

"No need, I know the way myself, I don't need you to pick me up!"

"Anyway, I don't have anything else to do, so I'll just treat it as a walk!"

"Oh well!"

The two lingered together for quite a while before finally separating, and Jiang Xile, who had been hiding in the shadows, emerged.

Li Hongwei is clearly trying to seduce Duan Nianzhen, but didn't he and Zhai Qiaoyun get their marriage certificate? Isn't he afraid of being reported for this behavior?

But what about Duan Nianzhen? Could it be that she's taken a liking to Li Hongwei?

Jiang Xile, who felt that life was surreal, was completely baffled and could not understand Duan Nianzhen's thought process at all. Perhaps her strange ideas were really different from those of normal people.

Stepping into the courtyard, Duan Nianzhen was carrying a basin out of the house. Upon seeing Jiang Xile, she snorted coldly and then turned and went to the backyard.

"Oh..."

Seeing Duan Nianzhen's foolish behavior, Jiang Xile was speechless. Arrogant, narcissistic, selfish, and utterly oblivious to her own stupidity—no wonder...